Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3970X or Intel Core i7-3970X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-3970X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3970X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2 features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Xeon E5 series.
To use the Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3970X Name Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Xeon E5
3 Generation 4
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Xeon E5 v2
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3970X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3970X is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2 has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2 is 2.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.1 GHz.
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.1 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.5 GHz Frequency 2.6 GHz
12 Threads 12
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 2.8 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 6
6x Cores 6x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3970X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2 does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 768.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
64.0 GB Max. Memory 768.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1600
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 150 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 80 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
150 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 80 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3970X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
Q4/2012 Release date Q3/2013
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Ivy Bridge EP
32 nm Technology 22 nm
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
820 $ Release price 450 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 15.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
28120
28120
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
19425
19425

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
5036
5036
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
4981
4981

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
3654
3654
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3512
3512

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3350
3350
Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
2585
2585

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
2623
2623
Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
2157
2157

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
1065
1065
Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
846
846

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
742
742
Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
549
549

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
135
135
Intel Xeon E5-2630 v2
6C 12T @ 2.6 GHz
117
117